Fourteen minor league players from the Red Sox organization in 2012 have filed for free agency. The players are now free to talk with any team. While it is possible some of the players could return to the Sox for 2012, the Sox have already lost one player. Right-hander Michael Olmsted signed with the Brewers over the weekend and was added to their 40-man roster.
According to Baseball America, the following players have filed for free agency.
Pitchers:Billy Buckner, Yeiper Castillo, Caleb Clay, Nelson Figueroa, Will Inman, Mike MacDonald, Tony Pena, Jason Urquidez, Leonel Vasquez
Catchers:Mike Rivera
First baseman:Reynaldo Rodriguez
Third basemen:Andy LaRoche, Marquez Smith
Clay was the Red Sox fourth pick in the first round (supplemental, 44th overall) in 2006, behind outfielder Jason Place, their first pick and 27th overall, right-hander Daniel Bard (28th overall), and left-hander Kris Johnson (40th overall). In six minor league seasons, Clay, a righty pitcher, posted a combined record of 15-28, with 13 saves and a 4.70 ERA in 120 appearances, including 51 starts, but he did not get above Double-A.
(Place is no longer in baseball. Johnson is in the Pirates organization.)
Other players with ties to the Sox who have filed include (with their 2012 organization):
Josh Kroeger (Braves), Joel Pineiro (Orioles), Miguel Socolovich (Cubs), Niuman Romero (Tigers), Garrett Mock (Astros), Eammon Portice (Dodgers), Manny Delcarmen (Yankees), Gustavo Molina (Yankees), Hector Luna (Pirates), Chih-Hsien Chiang (Mariners), David Pauley (Mariners), Dusty Brown (Rangers) and Chorye Spoone (Blue Jays).